How to Fold a Fitted Sheet: 8 Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

The simple secret to conquering the trickiest of bed linens starts with the corners

by Aaron Kassraie, AARP, September 1, 2021

a wrinkled bed sheet with the caption how to fold a fitted sheet

AARP Studios

En español | If you find yourself balling up your fitted sheets and storing them out of sight, you're not alone. Figuring out what to do with those tricky elastic corners has been a source of endless frustration, seemingly without a solution — until now.

Follow these eight easy steps for folding a fitted sheet, and say hello to unwrinkled bedding and an organized closet. But if you still find yourself confused, watch the video to see the technique in action and learn additional linen hacks.

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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

1. Start by holding the sheet lengthwise with each hand in the top corners, seam side out.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

2. Take your right hand and have it meet the left. Flip the right corner of the sheet over the left. So now, the sheet is completely draped over your left hand.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

3. Repeat the process by running your hand across the elastic edge and bringing the third corner to you. Flip it around the central corner resting on your left hand. Find the fourth corner and wrap it around the same hand. All four corners should now be in one hand.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

4. Place the folded sheet down on your bed and smooth the edges to make a neat rectangle, and make sure the edges are squared off.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

5. Fold the edges to the middle, starting with the far side.
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6. Then fold the narrow rectangle across until you have a neatly packed shape for your linen closet.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

7. Take your top sheet and any extra pillowcases, and fold each to be the same size as your newly folded fitted sheet.
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PHOTO BY: AARP Studios

8. Finally, stack and slide the remaining linens into a pillowcase for storage. You'll never have to look for matching sheets again.

Hacks to Help You Handle Your Linens

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Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency's Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English.

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